Hike Through Mountainous Andean Range 6 Days - 5 Nights

Ausangate Trek the true image of the high Andes, the Incas worshipped mountains. Apu Asugante is located in the Cordillera Vilcanota (6,342m). In our trek we cross spectacular passes, explore a radiant landscape below ice peaks and enormous glaciers. Ausangate is a stronghold of traditional Quechua culture/world immersion, the native who live at 14000ft tending their herds of Llamas and Alpacas surrounded by colourful glacial lakes, deep red cliffs and relaxing hot spring with Andean atmosphere. You will also have a good chance of encountering condors, the largest flying bird in the world, and other Andean fauna such as vizcachas, Andean fox and vicu a, practically extinct elsewhere. Although you will be hiking at altitudes of 3,800 meters, once you are acclimatized, the trek is considered a moderate one. Ausangate is cosidered one of the highest mountain in south of Peru.

DAY 1: CUSCO - TINKE - URPIS

At 6am pick from the hotel and 4 hours travel by private bus ride to the small village of Tinki (3820 meters). We pass through the beautiful Cusco countryside and several traditional villages including Urcos, Catcca and Ocongate, where we will have the opportunity to stop for a while and take some photos, lunch time and meet the rest of our team (handlers and horses/mules). After lunch we hike 5/6 hours to reach the remote village of Urpis (4400m), located at the bottom of the Ausangate mountain. Set up the camping gear and then you can enjoy the natural thermal spring until dinner time.

DAY 2: URPIS - ARAPA PASS - JATUN PUKA COCHA LAKE

This day we will hike 2/3 hours uphill to Arapa Pass (4765m). Climbing along the right side of the slope on the rock-strewn area. Throughout all the passage we will see the majestic Ausangate Mountain. Finally we arrive to Arapa pass from the top you will get spectacular and wonderful views of Real Mountain range. After plenty of time at the top of the pass we continue descending to have the opportunity to see beautiful lakes, multi-colored lagoons until we reach the larger Yanacocha lagoon (black lagoon) lunch around this amazing landscape and rest. At 2pm we hike close to 2 hours more to the camping place at the Jatun Puka Cocha (4480m), we will set up camp here.

DAY 3: JATUN PUKA COCHA LAKE - PALOMANI PASS - UCHUY FINALLA

After delicious breakfast short climb to the pass of Apacheta (4850m), nice pass from where is possible to have the best pictures. Descending until Ausangate Cocha Lake, stop for lunch prepared by out cooker. After the lunch continues hiking up to the highest point of the trek, know as Palomani Pass (5100m). We can enjoy fantastic views of Ausangate and the Vilcanota range surrounding. Three hour more walking down into a valley, we arrive to our incredibly beautiful campsite at Uchuy Finalla (4560m). We spend the night in this valley.

DAY 4: UCHUY FINALLA - CCAMPA PASS

Today, we depart early to climb for two hours towards the third mountain pass, the Abra de Palomani (5200m). This is the highest part of the entire hike, from which we then descend for another 2h through an area of llamas, alpacas and vizcachas to reach Pampacancha (4050m). From here we follow an uphill trail until that leads us to our campsite in Ccampa (4300m). Along this easy 3-hour climb we may have the chance to spot llamas, alpacas, and maybe even pumas. We will camp and dine at this place.

DAY 5: CCAMPA - QOMERJOCHA LAGOON - PACCHANTA

After breakfast we climb for 2 hours until we reach Ccampa Mountain pass (5000m), where we may have the chance to spot the Andean deer. From here we descend towards the Qomerjocha lagoon to finally arrive at Pacchanta (4100m) after an approximated five-hour walk. Pacchanta is a little community with attractive hot springs where we can enjoy a relaxing dip. We camp and spend the night at this place.

DAY 6: PACCHANTA - TINKI

At 8am we leave Pacchanta and start to walk our way back to Tinki, which will take approximately 2 hours. Once in Tinki, we board our private transport that will take us back to Cusco, where we estimate to arrive after nightfall.

INCLUDED

Official English-Speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)

RECOMMENDATION
If this is your first time going to the Andes or High Mountains we recommend getting information about the ALTITUDE SICKNESS, see below some websites recommend by High Mountain doctors and scientists from over the world.

DEPARTURES Daily departures are available all year. Except in the reaning season betweem December and April, we dont recommend to make trakking on this season.PRIVATE SERVICE
With this service, we provide a private official tour guide andíasistance to make your trip as comfortable as possible and you can explore much more tthis wonderful region.

Not Include

Alcoholic drinks

Horse to carry your personal items (see bellow)

Sleeping Bag can be hired in our local office in Cusco $5 USD PERU day (-15 C)

Breakfast on the first day before to be collected from your hotel, if your hotel dont offer early breakfast service, we stop at Urcos town to have breakfasta for additional cost

Tips for guide and camp staff

What Do You Need To Bring/Carry

Backpack 65lt

Sleeping bag can be hired from our office for $5 USD per day

Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco/Peru)

Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear

One complete change of clothing (you can afford to carry more changes of clothing if you hire a personal porters, see options below)

Sweater and jacket (something warm)

Water bottle and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco)

Flashlight and batteries

Hat or cap to protect you from the sun

Sun block (sun protection cream)

Insect repellent

Toiletries, towel and toilet paper

Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc,

Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries

Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs)

You also need to bring your original passport on the trail

Optional: walking sticks or poles

HIRE HORSE AND HORSEMAN Horses can carry up to 120Kg = $300 USD for the full duration of the tour ($50 USD per day). Each horse comes equipped with saddle andíassistant who will provide food and care the horse every day.
Riding a horse you will need to carry a daypack with your Camera, bottle of water, snacks, a fleece or something warm and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season but as a precaution). Your bag will be waiting for you in your tent at campsites.

INCA PATH Tour Operator

NCA PATH EPRU is a well established quality tour company supporting by all accreditation of the Peruvian government entities. For any interesting coming from any clients or local and foreign tour company click on follow links and see our permissions to be legal tour operator.